I've been keeping a big secret for awhile now, but today I'm gonna tell you. You know, if you can get through my blubbering in the video. Even when I'm doing a truth I can't help but embarrass myself, it seems.
I actually teared up a little watching this video. I hope the self-publishing process goes well for you and best of luck! As for a question … for you, what’s the scariest part of publishing your own book? And what are you looking forward to most?
Valerie, everything still feels pretty scary right now! As I said in the video, I'm still working on the business license—I started that process over a month ago, about 6 weeks. I think right now I'm mostly scared because it all feels so NEW. Yeah, I've done the revision and writing part, but the rest of the process thus far has been done for me. Now I have to learn about finding a printer if I want hard copies, finding a distributer, designing the text and cover, formatting the text for ebook, buying ISBNs, finding a good editor and designer, marketing strategies, etc.
It's a lot to take in!
I think what I'm looking forward to most is sharing RELAX, I'M A NINJA with those who've wanted to read it but couldn't because it never made it to published print. Because I really just want to share the book, even still after all these years (it's been almost 5 since I started writing it). I don't have any delusions of grandeur, here—it's just a project I love and hope some other people might like as well.
I think I'm also looking forward to the creative freedom, in a way. It's also a bit scary because it's all on me, but after having a few books under my belt I feel like I have a bit of an understanding of the standard I'm striving for.
Becoming a hybrid author is an incredibly brave move, and in my opinion one of the best ways for an author to keep all their options open. It's something I'm looking at, myself, for the future, and I'd love to compare experiences, fears, and tips some time, if you're interested.
Paul, this is definitely about keeping options open for myself. Since I've now dipped my feet in traditional, I'm fast learning that not all my stories are ideal for the traditional market. Some of my stuff is just a little too different, but I'm gaining confidence that this doesn't necessarily make it bad. I want a place where I can share those tales that are slightly off the beaten path, too.
I absolutely get that. For me, it's a desire to have multiple books coming out each year, which no one publisher is likely to be able to provide for me. Also with my new project, there are things I want complete control over, as regards promotion and design, that I can only have if I self-publish.
You're an inspiration! I remember when I first heard about you, from Nathan, and visited your blog. I wanted to read your Ninja book so bad! Now, looks like I'll get to. Congrats, Natalie!
I teared up a little too. But I also laughed! Natalie, I love you so much. You're so brave, and so passionate, and so wonderfully, inspiringly honest. I cannot wait to read RELAX, I'M A NINJA!
Also, I don't think it's weird or confusing at all that you're going to self-pub while also continuing to traditionally publish. I truly believe that's going to become the norm in the future.
Natalie, I love you and I love Ninja Book and I LOVE that I will get to buy this glorious book!! This story absolutely does deserve to be told, and I know people will fall in love with it as much as I did.
Okay, I'm not one to cry easily ... but this made me cry, esp the part about you not being the same since : (
This is such a big, amazing, scary, exciting decision -- good for you! Take courage to go outside of what's comfortable, familiar & perhaps easiest ... but in my experience, those risky decisions sometimes turn out to be THE BEST.
Congrats, and thanks for sharing. All the best wishes and luck coming your way.
Natalie, I'm right there with you on the nervousness, the emotional roller coaster, all of it! And I'm right here with you. So happy for your decision!
Congratulations! I'm sure there are so many (if not MOST) writers out there who can totally relate to this! I know I sure can!!!! Best of luck with your new adventure! I hope your book soars and it finds the readers it was meant to reach :)
I am so, so happy for you. This video made me tear up a little, and when I started to suspect with your big news was, I gripped the edges of the screen and willed you to say the words! You deserve to have success and happiness, and I have no doubt this new-old book will get you there. Thank you for being so... transparent, Natalie ;) You've been an inspiration to me over the years.
Natalie, I'm newer to you blog/twitter feed, so I didn't know much about your ninja story/publication journey. And I have to say that it was so encouraging to hear about. I've been in the querying trenches for a while. And it's so encouraging to hear someone else's "It took a while--a lot longer than I wanted" success story.
Natalie, you are so brave! I'm so glad the world is going to get to see the Ninja book. But most of all, I'm glad *I* get to read it. (Greedy, greedy.)
CHEERS!!! I'm so excited to read your Ninja book... will be watching for the announcement! And as someone who is considering self-publishing, out of doubts that some of what I'm writing is commercial enough, I found this encouraging. So glad to hear you're not giving up on a book you know is good. :)
Awesome! It's so true that not all great books sell, and the wonderful thing about self-publishing is that it gives you the chance to publish work that might not be marketable in the traditional sense, but is still (I'm sure) a great book! Best of luck with this! :D
Perhaps not it's not traditional publishing, but I still think it warrants a BIG CONGRATULATIONS! The courage it takes to make that decision warrants a big congratulations. Good luck! Can't wait!
This is so cool! I also think it's going to become the norm, and it's such a relief to see you taking this step and being a trailblazer in a way!! I'm so glad that authors won't always have to be at the mercy of publishers who think a book *might* not sell, thus depriving a hungry audience of the work. So brave and great of you! Can't wait to read it!
Hooray!! Congrats, Natalie! I'm so excited to read your Ninja book! I think you're giving hope to a lot of authors who have that one book that they love and want to share with the world! I can't wait to see how the rest of this process goes!
I agree with Kristan that I think hybrid authors will become more common as publishing evolves. Mad congrats on such a big decision :) And dude, I love ninjas, so sign me up.
Ahh Natalie hugs I support you all the way and I wish you so much success you are a ninja going through the journey and surviving it, YOU ARE CONFIDENT YOU ARE FIERCE and that's the truth you inspire me. The only question I have when an author self publishes what role does you agent play? Do you still have to provide percentage of the sales.
Keisha I think it would depend on how you work things out with your agent. I think it's a case to case thing. I can't speak for how it's handled over all, and I'm not comfortable posting publicly what we've decided when it comes to money matters.
This is such a great video and story, Natalie. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your decision. I've read lots of wonderful stories about writers believing in their own work even after rejections and moving forward on their own. I know there are many, many more writers who are in the same boat. To go it alone even in the face of so much rejection is brave and inspiring. We must believe. I believe! Congratulations.
You are brave and bold and passionate and wonderful. And the thing I admire most is that through all the hell you've been through, and with how much these experiences have beat on your confidence, you still found the clarity to rise above that and see the beauty and worth in your words. I'm so excited for this book!
I actually teared up a little watching this video. I hope the self-publishing process goes well for you and best of luck! As for a question … for you, what’s the scariest part of publishing your own book? And what are you looking forward to most?
ReplyDeleteValerie, everything still feels pretty scary right now! As I said in the video, I'm still working on the business license—I started that process over a month ago, about 6 weeks. I think right now I'm mostly scared because it all feels so NEW. Yeah, I've done the revision and writing part, but the rest of the process thus far has been done for me. Now I have to learn about finding a printer if I want hard copies, finding a distributer, designing the text and cover, formatting the text for ebook, buying ISBNs, finding a good editor and designer, marketing strategies, etc.
DeleteIt's a lot to take in!
I think what I'm looking forward to most is sharing RELAX, I'M A NINJA with those who've wanted to read it but couldn't because it never made it to published print. Because I really just want to share the book, even still after all these years (it's been almost 5 since I started writing it). I don't have any delusions of grandeur, here—it's just a project I love and hope some other people might like as well.
I think I'm also looking forward to the creative freedom, in a way. It's also a bit scary because it's all on me, but after having a few books under my belt I feel like I have a bit of an understanding of the standard I'm striving for.
Wow, best of luck with this new venture!
ReplyDeleteBecoming a hybrid author is an incredibly brave move, and in my opinion one of the best ways for an author to keep all their options open. It's something I'm looking at, myself, for the future, and I'd love to compare experiences, fears, and tips some time, if you're interested.
Paul, this is definitely about keeping options open for myself. Since I've now dipped my feet in traditional, I'm fast learning that not all my stories are ideal for the traditional market. Some of my stuff is just a little too different, but I'm gaining confidence that this doesn't necessarily make it bad. I want a place where I can share those tales that are slightly off the beaten path, too.
DeleteI absolutely get that. For me, it's a desire to have multiple books coming out each year, which no one publisher is likely to be able to provide for me. Also with my new project, there are things I want complete control over, as regards promotion and design, that I can only have if I self-publish.
DeleteYou're an inspiration! I remember when I first heard about you, from Nathan, and visited your blog. I wanted to read your Ninja book so bad! Now, looks like I'll get to. Congrats, Natalie!
ReplyDeleteAw, thanks, Matthew! It's weird to think about how it's been since then, but I'm also kinda glad you still remember:)
DeleteI teared up a little too. But I also laughed! Natalie, I love you so much. You're so brave, and so passionate, and so wonderfully, inspiringly honest. I cannot wait to read RELAX, I'M A NINJA!
ReplyDeleteAlso, I don't think it's weird or confusing at all that you're going to self-pub while also continuing to traditionally publish. I truly believe that's going to become the norm in the future.
No one is asking the really important question: IS THAT A DERPY NECKLACE?? Or have I just started seeing Ponies everywhere.
ReplyDeleteIT IS A DERPY NECKLACE. I'm glad you asked—I was really hoping someone would notice. I'm quite proud of it:)
DeleteDid you make it? BTW, Robyn (my 14 yr old) absolutely loves the little black cat we won. It's her favorite necklace.
DeleteNatalie, I love you and I love Ninja Book and I LOVE that I will get to buy this glorious book!! This story absolutely does deserve to be told, and I know people will fall in love with it as much as I did.
ReplyDelete*awkward ninja hugs*
Ninja hugs—those sound kinda scary to this introvert with a large physical bubble, lol.
DeleteActually I just gave you a ninja hug. Want another? Oops, already did.
DeleteOkay, I'm not one to cry easily ... but this made me cry, esp the part about you not being the same since : (
ReplyDeleteThis is such a big, amazing, scary, exciting decision -- good for you! Take courage to go outside of what's comfortable, familiar & perhaps easiest ... but in my experience, those risky decisions sometimes turn out to be THE BEST.
Congrats, and thanks for sharing. All the best wishes and luck coming your way.
Natalie, I'm right there with you on the nervousness, the emotional roller coaster, all of it! And I'm right here with you. So happy for your decision!
ReplyDeleteWe'll hold hands and whine about random self-pubbing stuff together, okay? Okay:)
DeleteLike everyone else, I teared up. But we're all with you, Natalie! I'm looking forward to your ninja book!
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU! And I love the Ninja book so I'm so happy the world will finally get to read it. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy for you. Very excited about your decision to self-publish this book that is such a big part of you.
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! I'm sure there are so many (if not MOST) writers out there who can totally relate to this! I know I sure can!!!! Best of luck with your new adventure! I hope your book soars and it finds the readers it was meant to reach :)
ReplyDeleteI am so, so happy for you. This video made me tear up a little, and when I started to suspect with your big news was, I gripped the edges of the screen and willed you to say the words! You deserve to have success and happiness, and I have no doubt this new-old book will get you there. Thank you for being so... transparent, Natalie ;) You've been an inspiration to me over the years.
ReplyDeleteLOVE YOU NATALIE!!! And I can't wait for everyone (including me!) to get to own the Ninja book! YAY!!
ReplyDeleteNatalie, I'm newer to you blog/twitter feed, so I didn't know much about your ninja story/publication journey. And I have to say that it was so encouraging to hear about. I've been in the querying trenches for a while. And it's so encouraging to hear someone else's "It took a while--a lot longer than I wanted" success story.
ReplyDeleteAw, everyone is making me feel so happy I outed myself! GROUP HUG.
ReplyDeleteNatalie, you are so brave! I'm so glad the world is going to get to see the Ninja book. But most of all, I'm glad *I* get to read it. (Greedy, greedy.)
ReplyDeleteCHEERS!!! I'm so excited to read your Ninja book... will be watching for the announcement! And as someone who is considering self-publishing, out of doubts that some of what I'm writing is commercial enough, I found this encouraging. So glad to hear you're not giving up on a book you know is good. :)
ReplyDeleteAwesome! It's so true that not all great books sell, and the wonderful thing about self-publishing is that it gives you the chance to publish work that might not be marketable in the traditional sense, but is still (I'm sure) a great book! Best of luck with this! :D
ReplyDeletePerhaps not it's not traditional publishing, but I still think it warrants a BIG CONGRATULATIONS! The courage it takes to make that decision warrants a big congratulations. Good luck! Can't wait!
ReplyDeleteCongratulations! It's a wonderful secret. Can't wait to hear about this part of your publishing journey!
ReplyDeleteCongrats and good luck!!! I've always loved the title RELAX, I'M A NINJA and I've been one of those curious to read it. I can't wait!
ReplyDeleteThis is so cool! I also think it's going to become the norm, and it's such a relief to see you taking this step and being a trailblazer in a way!! I'm so glad that authors won't always have to be at the mercy of publishers who think a book *might* not sell, thus depriving a hungry audience of the work. So brave and great of you! Can't wait to read it!
ReplyDeleteHooray!! Congrats, Natalie! I'm so excited to read your Ninja book! I think you're giving hope to a lot of authors who have that one book that they love and want to share with the world! I can't wait to see how the rest of this process goes!
ReplyDeleteYAY!!! That is all.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kristan that I think hybrid authors will become more common as publishing evolves. Mad congrats on such a big decision :) And dude, I love ninjas, so sign me up.
ReplyDeleteAhh Natalie hugs I support you all the way and I wish you so much success you are a ninja going through the journey and surviving it, YOU ARE CONFIDENT YOU ARE FIERCE and that's the truth you inspire me. The only question I have when an author self publishes what role does you agent play? Do you still have to provide percentage of the sales.
ReplyDeleteKeisha I think it would depend on how you work things out with your agent. I think it's a case to case thing. I can't speak for how it's handled over all, and I'm not comfortable posting publicly what we've decided when it comes to money matters.
DeleteAwesome news! So excited to hear it. Congrats on this new adventure.
ReplyDeleteThis is such a great video and story, Natalie. Thank you for sharing and congratulations on your decision. I've read lots of wonderful stories about writers believing in their own work even after rejections and moving forward on their own. I know there are many, many more writers who are in the same boat. To go it alone even in the face of so much rejection is brave and inspiring. We must believe. I believe! Congratulations.
ReplyDeleteYou are brave and bold and passionate and wonderful. And the thing I admire most is that through all the hell you've been through, and with how much these experiences have beat on your confidence, you still found the clarity to rise above that and see the beauty and worth in your words. I'm so excited for this book!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful video. Best of luck and I'll be wishing you the best. Can't wait to see your firstborn out in the world!!! CONGRATS!
ReplyDeleteWonderful, honest, truthful post. I am so impressed with you! Can't wait to read it.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for your honesty and heart. Wishing you serendipity in all your ink ventures! Sarah Page
ReplyDelete